At the same time, the water-dough splattered everywhere.
Rose’s clothes were already soaked with the water-dough.
Edelmar picked up a cake mold placed in the corner and walked toward Rose.
Rose was already exhausted, sprawled across the counter.
The dough in the glass bowl wasn’t properly mixed, and lumps had formed.
He realized it wasn’t the dough he had seen before, but Edelmar poured the mixture into the mold anyway, thinking, ‘What does it matter?’
“Should we bake it now?”
“Sure.”
Edelmar placed the cake mold with the batter into the oven at the far end of the spacious kitchen.
“Rose, you’re such a mess. Let’s clean up before your uncle scolds you.”
“Yes.”
Edelmar tucked Rose under his arm.
His clothes, made of the finest fabric, were getting soaked with flour water, but Edelmar didn’t care.
He turned on the faucet and began washing Rose’s hair, which was covered in flour dough.
The chill of the cold water made Rose flinch, and she spoke to Edelmar.
“Uncle, it’s cold.”
“There’s no hot water.”
“Then I’d rather wash in my room.”
Edelmar hesitated for a moment, considering the cake batter in the oven.
At that moment, Rose shivered.
“Brrr, it’s cold.”
‘Guess we’ll have to go.’
After all, the cake batter would take time to bake.
By the time he finished washing Rose, the cake layers would likely be ready.
“Let’s go wash.”
Rose nodded.
Edelmar carried Rose and stepped out of the kitchen.
The chefs guarding the kitchen door had dispersed, leaving the hallway deserted.
“Let’s put strawberries on the cake. I like strawberries.”
“Alright.”
“And let’s add the cherries you like, too.”
“Okay.”
Walking down the hallway, Rose and Edelmar chatted softly.
The peace of being with Rose made Edelmar temporarily forget the emptiness he had expected to feel.
As Edelmar was about to adjust his hold on Rose—
– BOOM!
A loud explosion echoed from behind them.
Both Rose and Edelmar turned their heads simultaneously.
Smoke billowed out of the kitchen.
Edelmar urgently cradled Rose and began to run.
It seemed a dark mage had attacked the Duke’s townhouse, which had been quiet lately.
“Yan! Handle it!”
Yan dashed toward the kitchen.
Edelmar drew the sword hanging at his waist and readied himself.
It was a precaution against any further attacks.
He dashed toward the stairs, intending to head up to the third floor where Ian was.
“Rose!”
Ian, who had apparently heard the explosion, was rushing down the stairs.
“It seems to be an attack.”
Ian took Rose into his arms.
His face, pale with shock, subtly changed when he looked at Rose.
“Rose, what…is this…?”
Ian couldn’t finish his sentence as Yan arrived, bowing deeply and speaking.
“It’s not an attack.”
“What? It’s not an attack?”
When Edelmar repeated the question, Yan replied honestly.
“Yes. There was no one at the site of the explosion.”
“That can’t be right.”
“Where exactly was the explosion?”
Ian, who had been listening, asked.
“The kitchen.”
“The kitchen?”
Ian looked back and forth between Rose and Edelmar, both drenched in white flour water.
Then, carrying Rose, he walked toward the kitchen, the site of the explosion.
“Oh my! Our kitchen!”
“What happened here?”
“Oh no, oh no!”
The chefs in front of the kitchen were wailing loudly.
“What is going on here?”
Hearing the Duke’s voice, the crying chefs wiped their tears and replied.
“The oven exploded.”
“What? What did you do to make the oven explode?”
The chefs glanced back and forth between Edelmar and Rose.
“If the oven exploded, what about the cake I made?”
“Cake?”
At Ian’s question, Rose smiled and said,
“Uncle Edel and I made a cake for Fenrex! Achoo.”
Ian closed his eyes tightly.
Of course. It had been too quiet.
Opening his eyes, Ian looked at Edelmar.
Edelmar stood confidently as if nothing was wrong.
“Grand Duke, have you ever made a cake before?”
“Yes.”
“When was that?”
“When I was young, I made one with my late father.”
“Have you ever measured ingredients before?”
“What’s that?”
At his confident response, Ian took a deep breath in and out.
At that moment, Rose sneezed again, Achoo!
“Head Chef, shut this kitchen down for now and use the smaller kitchen.”
“Yes, my lord,”
Replied the head chef, wiping away tears.
“Grand Duke, please go and clean up. I’ll take care of washing Rose.”
“Alright.”
Ian carried Rose and hurried away.
Upon reaching the room, he filled the bathtub with water and removed her wet clothes.
“Were you making a cake or taking a flour bath?”
At Ian’s words, Rose burst out laughing but sneezed again.
Adjusting the water temperature to a comfortable level, Ian placed her in the bathtub, and Rose beamed.
“It’s warm.”
“Yes, it must be warm.”
Ian let out a chuckle, washing Rose’s hair and bathing her.
After playing in the water until she felt warm again, Ian wrapped her up snugly in a towel and asked,
“What made you suddenly decide to make a cake?”
“That’s because I ate all the cake, and Uncle told me to ask the butler.”
“Uh-huh.”
Ian responded while drying Rose’s hair with a towel.
“The butler said there wasn’t any cake at home, so I was going to ask Uncle to buy one. But Uncle Edel said if there wasn’t any, we should just make one ourselves, so we made it together.”
Ian gritted his teeth.
If he didn’t know how, he should’ve stayed still. Why cause trouble by involving the child?
If Rose had been at the site of the oven explosion, Rose would’ve—
Just thinking about it made Ian shudder as he pulled Rose into a hug.
“Rose, don’t ever do that again. If you need a cake just tell the butler to make one.”
“Tell the butler?”
Ian kissed Rose’s tiny hand and replied,
“Yes. You’re a princess, so you shouldn’t be making one. Got it?”
“Yes.”
Rose giggled but sneezed again.
“Looks like you’re catching a cold.”
Ian quickly finished drying her hair and dressed her in slightly thicker clothes.
He pulled a cord to summon a maid and ordered warm milk.
– Knock, knock.
The door opened with a knock.
Edelmar, who had also cleaned up, entered the room.
“For heaven’s sake!”
“It wasn’t intentional.”
“If it were intentional, I would’ve kicked you out immediately.”
Edelmar crossed his arms and muttered as he sat on the sofa.
“Why did the oven explode?”
“Don’t think about why it exploded. Just don’t let it happen again. If you or Rose had been there when it happened, it would’ve been disastrous.”
Ian’s heart ached at the thought of Rose getting hurt. But the idea of the Grand Duke being injured was a headache.
If the Emperor, who adored his younger brother, blamed Ian for the incident, it would be an ordeal.
“Don’t let this happen again.”
Edelmar silently stared down at his hands instead of responding.
“My lord?”
– Knock, knock.
“Who is it?”
Ian asked irritably at the knock.
“My lord, the Imperial Knights are here to inquire about the explosion.”
“Understood.”
Ian glared at Edelmar before leaving the room.
Edelmar raised his head and spoke to Rose.
“Let’s do it again next time.”
Rose sneezed and then beamed brightly.
“Yes!”
***
The Spring Banquet.
One of the four grand banquets of the Imperial Palace, the Spring Banquet was also called the Flower Banquet.
Artificial streams flowed, and the intricately decorated flowers exuded a rich fragrance.
As it was the Spring Banquet, the nobles’ attire had become lighter and more colorful.
The nobles gathered in small groups, engaging in lively conversations centered on a single topic.
The wristwatches from Rose!
Those who had purchased them boasted proudly, while those who hadn’t could only express their regret.
“I heard rumors that a women’s wristwatch is being released this time. Is that true?”
At someone’s question, the lively chatter in the banquet hall quieted down instantly.
The nobles pretended to carry on their conversations while straining their ears to listen.
The question was directed at the esteemed Lady Hidwar, a VIP of Rose and the escort of the much-admired Young Duke Monrek.
Lady Hidwar leisurely fanned herself and replied,
“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard.”
The nobles held their breath.
This time, it wasn’t a men’s watch but a women’s watch.
The male nobles couldn’t hide their disappointment, while the female nobles were thrilled.
When the men’s wristwatch was first released, the women had eagerly hoped for a women’s version.
However, after selling a limited quantity of men’s wristwatches, Rose had ceased production.
Despite frequent visits to Rose and inquiries about women’s wristwatches, they had always been told there were no plans.
Now, news of a women’s wristwatch release had emerged.
And the news had come from none other than Lady Hidwar, the first to purchase the men’s wristwatch.
The female nobles stared intently at Lady Hidwar, hoping she would reveal more details.
However, Lady Hidwar simply continued fanning herself leisurely, saying nothing more.
Unable to wait, Lady Louis linked arms with Lady Hidwar and asked,
“Did you also hear when it will be released?”
Lady Hidwar smiled.
“Don’t keep it to yourself. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Pretending to hesitate, Lady Hidwar leaned in and whispered into Lady Louis’s ear.
Lady Louis’s eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face.
“Thank you so much!”
“Don’t mention it. That’s what friends are for.”
The young ladies and madams who hadn’t gleaned any information swarmed toward Lady Hidwar.
Surrounded by nobles in an instant, Lady Hidwar beamed.
At that moment, a loud announcement echoed through the entrance.
“Introducing the Marquess and Marchioness Hayant, along with Lady Katrina, the daughter of the Marquess.”
The Marquess of Hayant, with his slicked-back blue hair, entered the hall accompanied by his serene-looking wife and their daughter, Lady Katrina, who had inherited her father’s hair color.
The nobles who had surrounded Lady Hidwar now rushed toward Lady Katrina.
While the wristwatches were important, it was equally crucial to leave an impression on the youngest daughter of the Marquess of Hayant, who was the father of the Empress.
